Shrewsbury Town remain keen to secure the permanent signing of midfielder Asa Hall – despite the proposed transfer dragging well into the close season.Manager Paul Simpson has signalled his intention to keep Hall, who was signed on loan from Birmingham in January, as part of his plans.

It was initially expected the 21-year-old would secure his long-term future with Town shortly after the end of the season.

But plans to unveil him at the same time as new arrivals Paul Murray and Stephen Hindmarch were shelved – and the signing has yet to be finalised.

“A deal with Asa has not yet been concluded,” managing director Rob Bickerton confirmed today.

“Nobody is in a rush at this stage of the summer but we would like to sign him.”

Freddie Akehurst, Hall’s agent, insisted the deal had been delayed due to holidays and offered assurances there would be no problem securing an exit from Birmingham.

“It has been delayed because both myself and Asa have been away,” said Akehurst. “There is always interest from other clubs in players but there is nothing specific with Asa.

“The Birmingham side of it won’t be a problem – he won’t be playing there next season.”

When asked whether it was certain Hall would sign for Shrewsbury, Akehurst added: “It’s never cut and dried in football until something is signed.

“It is silly to try and pre-empt what is going to happen so we will just have to wait and see.”

Bickerton, meanwhile, has refused to comments on suggestions the club areclosing in on reaching an agreement over the naming right for the stadium.

But he added; “It is something we are working very hard on.”